Memorial Hospital Case Study
Memorial Hospital Case Study
Abstract
Memorial Hospital Case Study uses a series of communication between different level and functional hospital employees to paint a picture of how this hospital operates. This paper will analyze and summarize key characteristics underlining the organization structure, management style and leadership, identify major challenges and recommend workable solutions.
Analysis
Organization
14 department heads report to the president directly. “Coordination between us and other departments seem to be more serious problem then coordination between shifts of nurses.” is raised in a nurse meeting. These are two indications that Memorial Hospital has a silo type of divisional organization structure. The common communication and coordination challenges of silo structure are further demonstrated when the medical record administrator asked the departments heads for patient documentation and records in their monthly strategic planning meeting with little luck, and eventually had to ask a secretary friend, almost a month later, for help getting the documentation. The administrator stated “It is so easy to get things done when you are on friendly terms with people. That would have taken a week if I had gone through the channels.” The fact that the administrator had to request documentation from department heads in a strategic planning meeting and the fact that pertinent documents are not completed for a serious malpractice incidence show major weakness in process and communication channel.
Organization culture is major factor underlining the success of a company. The president stated “I’ve got to find a way to convince our penny-pinching board of trustees to expand the surgical intensive care unit.” He also thinks the cost of lawsuit can be a good justification to fund the additional intensive care unit. When a hospital does not take health needs as the number one priority and focus on dollar and cents instead, one feasible
Abstract
Memorial Hospital Case Study uses a series of communication between different level and functional hospital employees to paint a picture of how this hospital operates. This paper will analyze and summarize key characteristics underlining the organization structure, management style and leadership, identify major challenges and recommend workable solutions.
Analysis
Organization
14 department heads report to the president directly. “Coordination between us and other departments seem to be more serious problem then coordination between shifts of nurses.” is raised in a nurse meeting. These are two indications that Memorial Hospital has a silo type of divisional organization structure. The common communication and coordination challenges of silo structure are further demonstrated when the medical record administrator asked the departments heads for patient documentation and records in their monthly strategic planning meeting with little luck, and eventually had to ask a secretary friend, almost a month later, for help getting the documentation. The administrator stated “It is so easy to get things done when you are on friendly terms with people. That would have taken a week if I had gone through the channels.” The fact that the administrator had to request documentation from department heads in a strategic planning meeting and the fact that pertinent documents are not completed for a serious malpractice incidence show major weakness in process and communication channel.
Organization culture is major factor underlining the success of a company. The president stated “I’ve got to find a way to convince our penny-pinching board of trustees to expand the surgical intensive care unit.” He also thinks the cost of lawsuit can be a good justification to fund the additional intensive care unit. When a hospital does not take health needs as the number one priority and focus on dollar and cents instead, one feasible